Big target proves a bridge too far

Burnage’s first XI were unable to follow up their win over Euxton as Winton claimed an 80-run win last Saturday. Second-placed Winton won the toss and chose to bat, declaring on 295-5 after 47 overs with Brett Thompson making 122.

Burnage’s first XI were unable to follow up their win over Euxton as Winton claimed an 80-run win last Saturday.

Second-placed Winton won the toss and chose to bat, declaring on 295-5 after 47 overs with Brett Thompson making 122.

That left third-bottom Burnage a daunting victory target they never looked like reaching before being bowled out for 215 after 45.4 overs.

The visitors reached 51 before Burnage managed to make a breakthrough, with Rashid Parvez removing the opening partnership on his way to figures of 3-78.

Ric Johnson was bowled for 26 before Russ Brown (31) was caught by Sulman Khan.

Winton then enjoyed a partnership of 113 between Thompson and Leon Dewitt which took the score from 82-2 to 195-3 and put the game beyond Burnage.

Parvez bowled Dewitt for 42 before Thompson added another 66 runs with Michael Seenan, who was caught by Janaid Maqsood off Sajid Mahmood for 29.

Thompson then reached his century and Winton declared after he was caught by Muhammad Butt off Mahmood, who finished with 2-40 off six overs.

Burnage were already facing an uphill battle and then Mahmood was bowled by Darren Carter with the hosts yet to score.

Fellow opener Sulman Khan was the aggressor as Burnage managed to reach 40 before Janaid Maqsood (6) was caught by Janaid Maqsood off David Marchment.

Khan and Sabtain Baig then both fell before Burnage managed to reach treble figures, with Baig (22) caught and bowled by Seenan while Khan (42) was run out by Carter.

The hosts offered some resistance in the middle order with Rizwan Baig (22) caught by the Winton sub off Dewitt, before Carter had Amar Bhatti (30) caught by Marchment, who then dismissed Sohaib Butt (29) thanks to another catch by the Winton sub.

The same combination did for Hamza Butt (8) after Burnage had brought up 200, while Carter had Muhammad Butt (1) caught by Christie Macdonald before trapping Parvez (0) lbw to end it.

Tariq Mahmood was left unbeaten on 40 as Burnage picked up seven batting points, with Carter finishing with figures of 4-40 off 12.4 overs.